Container filling system

ABSTRACT

A filling system for carbonated beverages includes a container and a filling head whose outlet is aligned with the container inlet for filling purposes. An annular sealing element is interposed between the inlet and the outlet and its central opening is so dimensioned that the liquid flow passages it defines with them is of constant cross-section to reduce turbulence in the flowing liquid.

[ Oct. 15, 1974 United States Patent [191 Heckmann et al.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS CONTAINER FILLING SYSTEM [76] Inventors: Werner Heckmann,

Gutenbergstrasse 59, 46 Dortmund; 4/1949 Heinz Jordan, Wormsstrasse 13, 46 3/1960 Spreankle Do-Korne; Heinrich wenker, 3.357.416 l2/1967 Friendship Lothringhauser Strasse 86, 46

Do-Hombruch, all f G rma Primary Examiner-H0ust0n S. Bell, Jr.

Sept. 13, 1971 Assistant Examiner-Frederick R. Schmidt Attorney, Agent, or FirmMichael S. Striker [22] Filed:

[2]] Appl. No.: 176,402

5 7] ABSTRACT A filling system for carbonated beverages includes a {30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 12, 1970 Germany............................

container and a filling head whose outlet is aligned with the container inlet for filling purposes. An annu- 7 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PAIENTEBBBT 1 51924 CONTAINER FILLING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to container filling systems, and more particularly to systems which fill containers with liquids, particularly with carbonated beverages.

In filling containers, such as bottles, cans or the like, with liquids, particularly with carbonated beverages, it is not only desirable but in fact necessary to avoid as much as possible any agitation of the liquid which is being filled into the respective container. The reason for this is that carbonated beverages when subjected to such agitation tend to foam to an unacceptable extent whereby proper filling of the container is disadvantageously influenced. Moreover, a turbulent flow of the liquid into the container usually results in damage to the beverage in the container by excessive air inclusion.

This problem has of course been recognized before and attempts have been made to avoid it. In particular, filling apparatus is known in which the portion of the filling channel located above the container inlet is of slightly conical configuration, and the liquid is directed through this portion by a deflector which is located approximately in the upper region of the container inlet on the vent tube of the filling unit which extends into the container during the filling operation. The deflector itself guides the liquid against the inner surface bounding the inlet of the container, from where the liquid moves without excessive turbulence against the bottom wall of the container or against the surface of the liquid already accommodated in the container.

This construction is particularly known in so-called counter-pressure filling units which do not utilize a filling tube, and located between the filling head and the inlet opening of the container there is provided in accordance with the prior art an axially movable center.- ing member or hell the sealing of which contacts both the container about the inlet opening thereof and the filling head, in order to provide a closed space between the filling head and the container through which the liquid can pass.

In these filling heads the annular space defined by the filling head immediately adjacent the connection with the sealing element is slightly offset in inward direction with respect to the annular space defined by the sealing element itself, meaning that there is a variation in the cross-section of the passage through which the liquid flows. This results in every case in a disturbance of the liquid flow and a concomitant turbulence in the liquid. Also, in the known conical configurations of the liquid channel, a reduction of the flow through cross section exists which has been found to substantially reduce the filling speed of such apparatus.

It is clear, therefore, that the present state of the art makes further improvements desirable, but that such improvements have not heretofore been forthcoming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved filling system of the type here under discussion in which the disadvantages of the prior art are entirely avoided, and in which any turbulence in the flow of liquid from the filling head into the container is suppressed.

With the above objects in view, and others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a filling system for filling liquids into a container, which briefly stated comprises a container having an inlet opening, a filling head having a circular outlet opening adapted to be placed into registry with the inlet opening, and a centering element on the filling head for centering the outlet opening with respect to the inlet opening. Furthennore, there is provided an annular sealing element sealingly interposed between the centering element and the inlet opening of the container, and in accordance with the invention this sealing element has an inner circumferential surface so dimensioned as to define with the inlet and outlet openings a cylindrical liquid-flow passage of constant cross section.

In other words, the liquid flow passage thus defined is smooth or almost completely smooth, being without any appreciable changes in its cross-section, so that the turbulence induced in the flowing liquid by such crosssectional changes which exist in the prior artis avoided and the liquid can flow quietly and without formation of turbulence.

It is also advantageous in accordance with the invention that the diameter of the inlet opening and of the passage in the sealing element prior to scaling interposition of the latter between the centering element and the containercorrespond at least approximately to the diameter of the inlet opening of the container.

in conventional manner the filling head in the system according to the present invention utilizes a vent tube through which air or gas is vented from the interior of the container as the latter is being filled with liquid. Such vent tube extends coaxially through the inlet and outlet openings and carries in the region of the inlet opening of the container a deflector which deflects the incoming liquid against the wall of the container bounding the inlet opening. According to the present invention it is advantageous that the cross section of the annular space defined between the cylindrical liquid filled passage and the vent tube extending therethrough in a radial plane of the passageis larger than the cross-section defined between the largest diameter of the annular deflector and the circumferential wall of the container again in a radial plane of the flow passage and, of course, of the vent tube.

It has been found particularly advantageous if the relationship between the two cross-sections is approximately 1.26:1.

In order to form a smooth transition between the passage of the annular sealing element and the inlet opening of the container, the sealing element is advantageously provided with a sealing lip at the side which is to contact the container and which in the condition in which it is pressed against the container about the inlet opening thereof has a contour which corresponds at least substantially to the contour of the container wall portion surrounding the inlet opening.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single FIGURE illustrates in fragmentary somewhat diagrammatic form an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing in detail it will be seen that the filling system illustrated therein comprises a filling head having a valve housing 1 formed with a flow passage 2 which is to communicate with an inlet opening 24 of a container 3 to be filled, here illustrated as a bottle. A valve member 4 is arranged coaxially with the passage 2 and provided with a sealing ring 5, and the valve member 4 can be raised or lowered to open or close the valve at the beginning and the end of the filling operation, respectively.

A vent tube 6 is secured centrally on the valve member 4, at the lower end thereof, and it carries on its outer circumference a deflector 7 of annular configuration as illustrated. In operation the deflector 7 will be located in the interior of the container 3 as shown.

A ring 8 is arranged coaxially with the passage 2, and a downwardly directed major surface 9 of the ring 8 delimits one axial side of an annular space 10, the other axial side of which is determined by the annular surface 11 of the valve housing 1. A further annular gap or space 12 is delimited by an inner circumferential surface 13 of the ring 8 and the valve member 4 itself.

A centering member or bell 14 carries a sealing element l and is mounted shiftably intermediate the valve housing 1 and the container 3.

The drawing shows that the passage 2 has a conically convergent portion 16 and, downwardly thereof, is of cylindrical cross-section. When the sealing element 15, which is of annular configuration, is pressed against a wall portion 26 of the container neck 25 which bounds the container inlet opening 24, as illustrated in the drawing, the inner circumferential surface of the sealing element defines with the inlet opening 24 of the container 3 and the cylindrical outlet opening of the passage 2 a cylindrical liquid-flow passage 17 of constant cross-section, that is of a cross-section which is not changed where the central passage of the sealing element 15 merges with the outlet opening of the passage 2 or with the inlet opening 24 of the container 3, respectively.

The drawing also shows that the cross-sectional surface area 18 in the radial plane of an annular space 19 defined between the outer circumferential surface of the vent tube 6 and the inner circumferential surface bounding the passage 2 is greater than the crosssectional surface area 20 in the radial plane of the annular gap defined between an inner circumferential surface 21 of the wall of the container 3 and the largest diameter of the deflector 7. The ratio of these crosssectional areas of the gaps l8 and 20 is advantageously on the order of between 1.111 and 1.4:1. It has been found that particularly good flow-through conditions are obtained if a ratio of 1.26:1 is chosen.

The sealing element 15, which may be of a suitable elastomeric material well known to those skilled in the art, is supported by the centering bell 15 as illustrated and provided with a sealing lip 22 whose contour when the lip is pressed against an end face 23 or the wall portion 26 bounding the inlet opening 24 of the container 3- corresponds at least substantially to the configuration of the end face 23 at the container neck 25.

The flow through passage 17 which is thus created is continuous and bounded by what amounts to a smooth internal surface which is not interrupted by recesses or projections in the region of the transition between the sealing element 15 and the outlet of the passage 2 on the one hand, or the inlet 24 of the container 3 on the other hand. This means that no turbulence is induced in the liquid flowing through this passage 17 and the disadvantageous conditions obtaining with respect to the prior art are avoided.

It will be appreciated that in terms of the present invention the container 3 itself should be considered a part of the novel filling system, because the passage 17 is defined by the sealing element 15 in conjunction not only with the outlet of the passage 2 but also with the inlet 24 of the container 3, because the smooth turbulence-free transition between the element 15 and the inlet 24 of the container 3 is as important as the similar transition between the element 15 and the outlet of the passage 2.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a filling system for filling liquid into a container, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A filling system for filling liquid under pressure into a container comprising a container having a neck portion provided with a cylindrical inlet opening of a predetermined cross-sectional area and having an end face surrounding said inlet opening and having apredetermined surface area; a filling head having a cylindrical outlet opening of said predetermined crosssectional area and adapted to be placed in registry with said inlet opening; an annular sealing element having a cylindrical central passage of said predetermined crosssectional area and an annular surface portion of said predetermined surface area and sealingly interposed between said inlet opening and said outlet opening; and a centering member on said filling head engaging said neck portion and said sealing element for centering said outlet opening and said passage with reference to said inlet opening and for centering said annular surface portion with reference to said end face, to thereby obtain a cylindrical transition-less liquid-flow path of constant cross-sectional area.

2. A filling system as defined in claim 1; further comprising a vent tube carried by said filling head and extending coaxially through said outlet opening and said central passage, said vent tube comprising a portion extending through said inlet opening into said container and carrying at its outer periphery a coaxial annular deflector or deflecting liquid entering through said inlet opening radially outwardly of said vent tube.

3. A filling system as defined in claim 2, said container having an inner wall surface defining with said deflector one annular gap, and said outlet opening being bounded by an inner peripheral surface which defines with said vent tube an other annular gap; and wherein the area of said other gap is greater than the area of said one gap in the respective radial planes of said gaps.

4. A filling system as defined in claim 3, wherein the ratio of the area of said other gap to the area of said one gap is on the order of 1.26:].

5. A filling system as defined in claim 3, wherein the ratio of the area of said other gap to the area of said one gap is on the order of between l.l:l and 1.4:1.

6. A filling system for filling liquid under pressure into a container, comprising a container having an inlet opening and an inner wall surface merging with said inlet opening; a filling head having a circular outlet opening adapted to be placed into registry with said inlet opening; a centering element on said filling head for centering said outlet opening with respect to said inlet opening; an annular sealing element sealingly interposed between said centering element and said inlet opening of said container, said sealing element having a central passage bounded by an inner circumferential surface dimensioned to define with said inlet and outlet openings a cylindrical liquid-flow passage of constant cross-section; a vent tube carried by said filling head and extending coaxially through said liquid-flow passage so as to define therewith a first annular gap, said vent tube comprising a portion extending into said container downstream of said inlet opening; and an annular deflector for deflecting the liquid entering through said inlet opening radially outwardly of said vent tube toward said inner wall surface, said deflector being coaxially supported on said portion in a region of merger of said inlet opening with said inner wall surface and defining a second gap in said region, the area of said first gap being greater than the area of said second gap in the respective radial planes of said gaps.

7. A filling system as defined in claim 6, said container having a wall portion of predetermined contour bounding said inlet opening; and said sealing element having a sealing lip which during operation of said system is pressed against said wall portion; and wherein the contour of said sealing lip corresponds substantially to said predetermined contour when said sealing lip is pressed against said wall portion. 

1. A filling system for filling liquid under pressure into a container comprising a container having a neck portion provided with a cylindrical inlet opening of a predetermined crosssectional area and having an end face surrounding said inlet opening and having a predetermined surface area; a filling head having a cylindrical outlet opening of said predetermined crosssectional area and adapted to be placed in registry with said inlet opening; an annular sealing element having a cylindrical central passage of said predetermined cross-sectional area and an annular surface portion of said predetermined surface area and sealingly interposed between said inlet opening and said outlet opening; and a centering member on said filling head engaging said neck portion and said sealing element for centering said outlet opening and said passage with reference to said inlet opening and for centering said annular surface portion with reference to said end face, to thereby obtain a cylindrical transition-less liquid-flow path of constant cross-sectional area.
 2. A filling system as defined in claim 1; further comprising a vent tube carried by said filling head and extending coaxially through said outlet opening and said central passage, said vent tube comprising a portion extending through said inlet opening into said container and carrying at its outer periphery a coaxial annular deflector or deflecting liquid entering through said inlet opening radially outwardly of said vent tube.
 3. A filling system as defined in claim 2, said container having an inner wall surface defining with said deflector one annular gap, and said outlet opening being bounded by an inner peripheral surface which defines with said vent tube an other annular gap; and wherein the area of said other gap is greater than the area of said one gap in the respective radial planes of said gaps.
 4. A filling system as defined in claim 3, wherein the ratio of the area of said other gap to the area of said one gap is on the order of 1.26:1.
 5. A filling system as defined in claim 3, wherein the ratio of the area of said other gap to the area of said one gap is on the order of between 1.1:1 and 1.4:1.
 6. A filling system for filling liquid under pressure into a container, comprising a container having an inlet opening and an inner wall surface merging with said inlet opening; a filling head having a circular outlet opening adapted to be placed into registry with said inlet opening; a centering element on said filling head for centering said outlet opening with respect to said inlet opening; an annular sealing element sealingly interposed between said centering element and said inlet opening of said container, said sealing element having a central passage bounded by an inner circumferential surface dimensioned to define with said inlet and outlet openings a cylindrical liquid-flow passage of constant cross-section; a vent tube carried by said filling head and extending coaxially through said liquid-flow passage so as to define therewith a first annular gap, said vent tube comprising a portion extending into said container downstream of said inlet opening; and an annular deflector for deflecting the liquid entering through said inlet opening radially outwardly of said vent tube toward said inner wall surface, said deflector being coaxially supported on said portion in a region of merger of said inlet opening with said inner wall surface and defining a second gap in said region, the area of said first gap being greater than the area of said second gap in the respective radial planes of said gaps.
 7. A filling system as defined in claim 6, said container having a wall portion of predetermined contour bounding said inlet opening; and said sealing element having a sealing lip which during operation of said system is pressed against said wall portion; and wherein the contour of said sealing lip corresponds substantially to said predetermined contour when said sealing lip is pressed against said wall portion. 